A 23-YEAR-OLD woman who swam across the Davao Gulf from Coaco Beach in Lanang, Davao City was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard after she was found lying on the shore of a resort in Samal Island late Saturday afternoon, April 19, 2025.
According to Lt.JG Vasit Venturillo, station commander of the Coast Guard Station Island Garden City of Samal (CGS-Igacos), the woman was discovered by resort staff past 5 p.m on the same day and was immediately attended to by Coast Guard personnel.
The woman had swum approximately 1.8 kilometers across the Davao Gulf around 100 feet deep before reaching the island safely.
Initial reports revealed that the woman, a resident of Barangay Panyalom in Paquibato District, Davao City, had recently left her job as a domestic helper. During questioning, she told authorities she was dealing with personal problems and had intended to reach Samal by swimming.
She was then brought to the Coast Guard Sub-Station in Caliclic, where she received food and assistance. The Coast Guard will coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) to provide the necessary support for her recovery.
During Holy Week, from April 17 to 19, the Philippine Coast Guard conducted intensified patrol operations under “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2025.”
Personnel from Coast Guard Sub-Station Pangubatan, SOG-Igacos, and the PCGA 802nd Squadron carried out Baywatch patrols covering coastal areas in barangays Pangubatan, Kanaan, and San Remegio. These operations aimed to ensure public safety amid the expected influx of tourists by monitoring maritime activities, enforcing safety regulations, and providing rapid emergency response.
Lifeguards and Coast Guard personnel were also strategically deployed in high-traffic beach areas to maintain order, deter illegal activities, and promote a safe and enjoyable environment for both locals and visitors. DEF